Facilitation

a.     Flood-ravaged village adopted in Jammu region.

Unprecedented floods devastated large areas of Jammu Kashmir in September 2014. Massive relief measures were undertaken by the Centre and state governments and non-governmental organizations including Jammu Kashmir Study Centre.  CLJKS had immediately organized an effective information centre for victims and their relatives across the globe, and also channelized relief material for the affected people.

Unfortunately, some flood-affected areas escaped the notice of the administration, particularly in the Jammu region, allegedly due to their terrain and distance. One such area is Seri Tanda in Reasi district in Jammu region.

CLJKS team visited this area to study the ground situation and found that many families had lost their houses in the floods and were still waiting for succour from the administration.

The village of Seri Tanda, located at the foothills, was virtually washed away in landslides triggered by floods. An overwhelming number of villagers were rendered homeless. Houses that weren’t destroyed in floods became too dangerous to live in due to recurrent landslides. The two rivers flowing alongside the village also make the situation precarious as both property and agricultural land can get submerged any time. The entire village has become unsafe. The affected people are living in miserable conditions, made worse due to the weather and terrain of the area.

CLJKS has decided to extend substantial support to the residents of Seri Tanda through a permanent rehabilitation plan. As a huge step in this direction, CLJKS is supporting the district administration to build the Seri Tanda village. Besides facilitating funds for house construction at an alternate site allotted by the administration, CLJKS has been collaborating with local NGOS to work collectively on building a community center and a school for children from affected families. The work is on in full swing and is expected to be completed in a few months.

CLJKS plans to adopt more such villages in Jammu Kashmir, to bring about much-needed sustainable development.

 b. Tourism Promotion

Jammu Kashmir state is world-famous for its scenic beauty. Ever since ancient times, countless sonnets have been written on its natural beauty. Kashmir is known internationally as a ‘Paradise on Earth’. Unfortunately, other picturesque areas have not found their place on the tourism map, basically due to faulty administration and valley-centric policies. Numerous sites across the length and breadth of J&K such as Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Kupwara and Gurej are breathtakingly beautiful. But their abundant tourism potential is still lying untapped.

CLJKS organizes promotional activities to develop tourism here. We encourage tourists to visit these areas. We coordinate with tour operators across the nation to persuade vacationers to explore hitherto unknown areas of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. We are also engaging with tourism sector experts to develop the required infrastructure in these magnificently beautiful regions